Das who I b'longs to.

Yas, seh." The General sat back a little in his chair and studied Uncle Billy.

He saw that after all the old negro was simply a natural slave--that he probably had no other thought in his grayed head than that of faithful service to his owner.

But he would try him and see how far the old man would go.
"I understand," he said, "that freedom has been offered you--and you refused it.

Is this true ?" "Yas, seh." "_Why ?_" asked the General quietly.
Uncle Billy stammered.
"Well--er--well, 'skuse me, Mars' Gen'l, but--but down whar _I_ lives at de--de white gent'men understands a nigger better'n what you-all does.
Yas, seh." General Grant may have smiled internally, but the only symptom of amusement was the dry note in his voice.
"I see.